Stabilizing method and composition for color photographic processing

ABSTRACT

A stable processing solution for improving the stability of color images of color photographic materials is disclosed. The processing solution contains pyrogallol-1,3-dimethyl ether.

United States Patent [191 Shirasu et al.

[451 Nov. 27, 1973 STABILIZING METHOD AND COMPOSITION FOR COLORPHOTOGRAPHIC PROCESSING [75] Inventors: Kazuo Shirasu; Mitsuo Ozawa;

Yasuhisa Ogawa, all of Kanagawa, Japan [73] Assignee: Fuji Photo FilmCo., Ltd.,

Kanagawa, Japan [22] Filed: June 14, I972 [21] Appl. No.: 262,896

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data June 14, 1971 Japan 46/42385 [52]US. Cl 96/56, 96/61, 96/66.4, 96/109 [5 1] Int. Cl G03c 7/00 3,457,0797/1969 Koda et al. 96/109 Primary Examiner-Norman G. Torchin AssistantExaminer-Richard L. Schilling AttorneyRichard C. Sughrue et al.

[5 7] ABSTRACT A stable processing solution for improving the stabilityof color images of color photographic materials is disclosed. Theprocessing solution contains pyrogallol- 1,3-dimethyl ether.

8 Claims, No Drawings BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of theInvention v This invention relates to a processing composition forimproving the stability of images of color photographic materials andhaving improved stability of itself.

More particularly, the invention relates to a stabilized processingcomposition containing pyrogallol-l ,3- dimethyl ether for improving thestability of color images of color photographic materials by processingthe color photographic materials having the color images with thecomposition.

2. Description of the Prior Art In general, it is well known that colorphotographs having color images of dyes such as indophenol, indamine,indoaniline, and azomethine formed from an aromatic amine developer andcouplers are inferior in light fastness. It is also known that the lightfastness of those color photographs-can be increased using the followingmethods;

1. A compound absorbing ultraviolet light can be incorporated in thecolor photographic materials (See, e.g., the specifications of U.S. Pat.Nos 2,632,701 and 2,747,996).

2. A reducing agent or an antioxidant can be incorporated in the colorphotographic materials (See, e.g., the specifications of U.S. Pat. Nos.2,384,658 and 3,095,302).

For incorporating those compounds in the color photographic materials,they can b'e preliminary incorporated in the emulsion layers of thecolor photographic materials or they can be introduced into the emulsionlayers of the color photographic materials during 'processing of thematerials. Those methods may be alternatively employed depending uponthe nature of each compound to be incorporated or the characteristics ofthe photographic sensitive materials.

A color photographic sensitive material is generally subjected to'aseries of the followin'gprocessing'steps: For example, to the steps ofcolor development, stop fixing, water washing, bleaching, water washing,hardening fixing, water washing, and stabilization as described in TheBritish Journal of Photography, September 27, 838( 1968); to the stepsofprebath processing, rinsing, color development, fixing, water washing,bleaching, water washing, fixing, water washing, and stabilization asdescribed in Journal of the S.M. P. T. E., Vol. 61, No. 12, 667(1963);or to the steps of color development, blixing, water washing, andstabilization as described'in-thespecification of German Pat. No.1,928,554.

It is known to use a processing bath containing a compound having ahydroxyl group,an amino group, or a substituted amino group forimproving thestability of color images in the color photographicprocesses referred to above (See, e.g., the specification ofU.S. Pat.No. 2,384,658). However, the colorphotographic material processed by abath containing hydroquinone or a derivative thereof as-describedin theGerman Patent specification has the-disadvantage thatmarkedly brownstains form on thenon image-bearing portions of 'the color photographicmaterialby light exposure although the light fastness of the magenta dyeitself may be improved. Also, when a color photographic material isprocessed with abath containing ascorbic acid as described in the aboveGerman Patent specification, the light fastness of the magenta dyeitself may be improved as in the above case, but the color photographicmaterial processed suffers the formation of brown stains and further thecyan density is reduced greatly.

Similarly, it is known that gallic acid improves the stability of images(See, e.g., the specification of U.S.

'Pat. No. 3,069,262). However, in addition to the fact that the effectof the compound for improving the light fastness of the magenta dye isslight as compared with the compound previously referred to, brownstains form greatly.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION As the result of the inventors variousinvestigations for improving these disadvantages, it has been discoveredthat by processing a color photographic material subjected toconventional processings in an aqueous solution containingpyrogallol-l,3-dimethyl ether, the light fastness of not only themagenta dye but also the yellow dye is remarkably improved without beingaccompanied by the formation of brown stains at the nonimage bearingportions by light exposure. Moreover, it has also been discovered thatby processing with the compound in this invention, the discoloration andfading of the cyan dye due to heat and also the fading of the yellow dyedue to humidity are prevented.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION An object of the invention is,therefore, to provide a processing composition for preventing the colorimages of color photographic material from being faded by the actions oflight, humidity, or heat.

Another object of thisinvention is to provide a color photographicmaterial such as a color film, a color transparency, and a color printstable to light or heat by processing the color photographic materialwith a stabilizing bath containing a specific compound.

Furthermore, the compound in the-present invention can be effectivelyused in an aqueous solution containing at least one of urea, guanidine,and-water-soluble derivatives of these materials asdescribed in thespecification of U.S. Application Ser. No. 1 10,291, filed Jan. 27,1971, and dior tri-hydroxybenzene or derivative thereof. Still further,the compound of this invention can be effectively used together with aphenolic compound describedin'the specification of U.S. application Ser.No. 182,558, filed Sept. 21, 1971.

It is generally known that when photographic sensitive materials andprocessing solutions are placed under certain condi-tions,microorganisms grow therein. Since in the former case the microorganismsgrow mainly in'the protective colloid such as gelatin of thephotographic sensitive material, the image portions are attacked by suchmicroorganisms. That is to say, red or purple spot-like foreignsubstances are formed in an early period and when the spots grow, theimage portions become unobservable and finally are bleached. Such adisadvantage is quite undesirable from the standpoint of thepreservation'of photosensitive materials. In the latter case, colloidforeign substances are formed in the processing. solutions and they emitbad smells. As this condition progresses, the intensity of the'bad smellincreases and the processing solutionslose their desired properties.

It isknown that the growth of the microorganisms as previously indicatedis observed when photographic sensitive materials are stored under suchhigh temperature and high humidity conditions as are suitable for thegrowth thereof, for instance at temperatures of 3040 C and relativehumidities of 7090% RH. As a means for preventing the growth ofmicroorganisms in photographic sensitive materials, a pentachlorophenol(sodium salt) containing bath and an Ansco 955 stabilization rinse bathas shown in Photographic Science and Engineering, Vol. 3, No. 3, (1959)are known. Also, it it known that a hydantoin derivative prevents thegrowth of microorganisms in photographic sensitive materials asdescribed in, e.g., the specification of U.S. Pat. No. 2,762,768.

However, although those compound referred to above may be effective forpreventing the growth of microorganisms in photographic sensitivematerials, they are hardly or less effective for processing compositionsof solutions when they are incorporated in the processing compositionsor solutions.

On the other hand, it is also known that when a processing compositionfor photographic materials is preserved for a long period of time athigh temperatures of, e.g., 45C., microorganisms grow in the processingcomposition. As a method of preventing such a growth of microorganismsin the processing composition, it is known to incorporate therein anitroalcohol derivative as described in the specification of U.S. Pat.No. 3,542,553. However, the incorporation of the nitroalcohol derivativein a processing-composition for photographic sensitive materials may beeffective for preventing the growth of microorganisms in the processingcomposition but is hardly effective for preventing the growth ofmicroorganisms in the photographic materials processed in such aprocessing composition containing the derivative. Furthermore, thephotographic sensitive materials processed in a bath containingthenitroalcohol derivative also suffer the formation of brown stainsclue to the action of light or heat.

The inventors have also investigated various compounds which areeffective for preventing the growth of microorganisms in processingcompositions and simultaneously in photographic materials processed bythe compounds without adverse influences on either of them, and as theresults thereof it has been discovered that the above purpose also canbe attained by using pyrogallol- 1 ,3-dimethyl ether.

Another object of this invention is, therefore, to 'provide a means toprevent the growth of microorganisms in a processing composition forphotographic sensitive materials unaccompanied by adverse influences onthe function of the processing composition and at the same time toprevent also the growth of microorganisms in the photographic sensitivematerials processed by the composition without giving rise to anyadverse influences on the photographic sensitive materials.

The advantages of using the processing composition of this inventioncontaining pyrogallol-1,3-dimethyl ether are as indicated below.

1. The light fastness of the yellow dye of a color photographic materialto various lights is improved by processing the color photographicmaterial with the processing composition.

2. The light fastness of the magenta dye of a color photographicmaterial to various lights is improved.

3. The processing of a color photographic sensitive material with theprocessing composition prevents the discoloring and fading of the cyandye thereof due to the action of heat and also the formation of colorstains therein due to the action of heat.

4. The processing of a color photographic sensitive material with theprocessing composition prevents the fading of the yellow dye thereof dueto the action of humidity. 5. Microorganisms do not grow in theprocessing composition.

6. The processing of photographic sensitive material prevents the growthof microorganisms in the photographic sensitive material.

It is preferable to use the compound of this invention together withdior polyethylene glycol because in such a case the rate of dissolutionof the compound in water can be increased.

A suitable amount of pyrogallol-l,3-dimethyl ether which can be used inthe processing composition of this invention generally ranges from 0.1to 10 g/liter preferably from about 1 to 3 g/liter. The presentinvention can be used instead of the processing bath described in TheBritish Journal of Photography, September 27, 839( 1968), the processbath described in Journal of the S. M. P. T. E. Vol. 61, No. 12, 682(1963), and the processing composition described in the specification ofU.S. Pat. No. 3,582,322 without any limitations but the compound of thisinvention is more effectively used when incorporated in a stabilizationbath. Furthermore, the compound of this invention is more effectivelyincorporated in the stabilization bath described in the specification ofU.S. application Ser. No. 21,184, filed Mar. 19, 1970.

Now, suitable examples of the photosensitive materials which can beprocessed effectively by the processing composition of this inventionare color photographic sensitive materials containing the acetanildeyellow couplers described in the specification of U.S. Pat. No.3,551,156, the pyrazolone magenta couplers described in thespecification of U.S. Pat. No. 3,558,319, or the specification of U.S.Pat. No. 3,337,344, and the phenolic couplers described in thespecifications of U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,423,703 and 2,474,293 but thephotographic sensitive materials to be processed by the processingcomposition of this invention are not limited to only theabove-described color photographic sensitive materials.

Furthermore, the processing composition of this invention can be moreeffectively applied to the photographic sensitive materials containing aultraviolet absorbent as described in, e.g., the specification of U.S.Pat. No. 3,352,681 and the specification of U.S. Pat. No. 3,253,921.

Typical experimental results on the stability of the images of thephotographic sensitive materials processed by the processing bath ofthis invention and typical experimental results on the preservativeproperty of the processing composition of this invention will bedescribed by reference to the following examples but the invention isnot to be interpreted as limited to these examples.

N-Ethyl-N-B-(methanesulfonamidoethylp-phenylencdiaminc) 8.0g Water addedto make 1 liter Stop Fixing Solution (pH 4.5) Ammonium Thiosulfate 120.0g Sodium Pyrosulfite 20.0 g Glacial Acetic Acid 10.0 g Water added tomake 1 liter Bleaching Solution (pH 7.2) Potassium Nitrate 25.0 gFerricyanide 20.0 g Potassium Bromide 8.0 g

Boric Acid 5.0 g

V Borax 2.5 g Water added to make 1 liter Hardening Fixing Solution(pl-1 9.5) Ammonium Thiosulfate 120.0 g Sodium Sulfite 5.0 g Formalin(35 40%) 2.5 g Water added to make 1 liter A color photographic paperprepared by applying succesively to a baryta-coated paper ablue-sensitive silver iodobromide emulsion layer containing a yellowcoupler, benzoylaceto-2-chloro-5-dedecyloxycarbonyl anilide, anintermediate gelatin layer, a green-sensitive silver chlorobromideemulsion layer containing a magenta coupler, 1-phenyl-3-[3-(Nbutylcaprylamidopropionamido)]-5-pyrazolone, an intermediate gelatinlayer, a red-sensitive silver silver chlorobromide emulsion layercontaining a cyan coupler, 1-hydroxy-2[3-(2,4-t-amylphenoxy)propyllnaphthamide, and a protective gelatin layer inthis order was subjected to the following processings successively-at30C using the processing solutions having the above-indicatedcompositions. I 7

That is to say, the color photographic paper was, after imagewiseexposure, subjected to a color development for 7 minutes, a stop fixingfor 2 minutes, a water washing for 2 minutes, a bleaching for 2 minutes,a water washing for 2 minutes, a hardening fixing for 2 minutes, andthen a water washing for 4 minutes.

Thereafter, the color photographic paper thus processed was furtherprocessed for 2 minutes at 300C in one of the processing baths A-Fhaving the compositions shown in the following table.

Bath

Compound A B C D Tartaric acid, g Zinc sulfate, g- Sodium metaborate,Pyrogallol-l, 3-dimethy Methoxy hydroquinoue, g

rea, g 30.0 Hydroriuinone, g. 2.0 Pyroga 101, g 3.0 Gallic acid, g 3.0

Water added to make 1 liter in all cases. pH 5. 0 5. 0 5. 0 5. 0 5. 0 5.0

The samples processed in the above processing bath were tested withrespect to the stability of the image by exposing them to a fluorescentlamp of 10,000 lux. The faded percentage after an exposure of 10 days isshown in the following table.

Faded Percentage* Also, the color photographic papers processed in theabove-indicated processing baths were tested with respect to thestability of the image by exposing them directly to sun light. The fadedpercentage of the color images after an exposure of 12 days is shown inthe following table.

Faded Percentage* The faded percentage* is the ratio of the colordensity of the portion having an initial color density of 1.0 reducedduring the test. The ADy is the density increase of thenon-exposed-portions expressed by the density of yellow component.

The experimental results show clearly the following: 1. The processingbath C containing a known compound similar to the compound in thepresent invention had the effect of prevent-ing the fading of themagenta image by light in comparison with the conventional processingbath A but was ineffective as to yellow images and additionally wasaccompanied by the formation of a great amount of brown strains. Also,the processing bath D showed no fading preventing effect of the colorimages and further showed a great increase in the formation of brownstains.

2. The processing bath B of this invention showed a remarkable fadingprevention effect of the magenta images due to light and a remarkablefading preventing efiect of yellow images by light. Also, in this caese,no increase of strains due to light exposure was observed.

3. The processing baths E and F containing the compound in the presentinvention and the above-indicated known compounds were more effectivethan the processing bath B.

Then, the samples processed in the processing baths shown above werestored for- 7 days at 76.7C and under a low humidity. in this case theratio of the color density of the portion having an initial colordensity of 1.0 reduced during the test and the density (ADy) of thestain increase at the non-exposed portions is shown in the followingtable.

Faded Percentage Processing Bath Yellow Magneta Cyan ADy A a 0 2% 15%+0.06 B 0 1% 8% +0.06 C 0 2% l 4% +0. 1 2 D 0 2% l 5% H). 13 E 0 2% 8%+0.06 F 0 5% 7% +0.05

Furthermore, the samples processed above were also stored for 14 days at40C under a relative humidity of RH and the results obtained are shownin the following table.

Faded Percentage Processing Bath Yellow Magneta Cyan ADy A l 1% 2% 3%+0.03 B 5% 2% 2% +0.02 C 10% 1% 3% +0.04 D 1 1% 2% 3% +0.04 E 5%2% 2%+0.03

EXAMPLE 2 A color photographic positive film prepared by applying tocellulose acetate film a blue-sensitive silver iodobromide emulsionlayer containing a yellow coupler, an intermediate gelatin layer, ared-sensitive silver chlorobromide emulsion layer containing a cyancoupler, an intermediate gelatin layer, a green-sensitive silverchlorobromide emulsion layer containing a magenta coupler, and aintermediate gelatin layer successively in this order was subjected tothe following processings at 21C. The couplers used in the colorpositive film were same as those used in Example 1.

The color positive film was, after image-wise exposure, subjected to-thesteps of pre-treatment for seconds, rinse for seconds, development for12 minutes, rinse for 15 seconds, fixing for 4 minutes, water washingfor 4 minutes, bleaching for 8 minutes, fixing for 4 minutes, and waterwashing for 8 minutes.

The compositions of the processing solution used in the aboveprocessings were as follows.

Developing Solution (pH 10.65)

Calgon* 2.0 g ti (produced by (Calgon, lnc.)

Sodium Sulfite 4.0 g N,N-Diethyl-ppheny- 3.0 g lenediamine HydrochlorideSodium Carbonate Monohydrate 20.0 g Potassium Bromide 2.0 g Water addedto make 1 liter Trade name of sodium polymetaphosphate, (NaPO comprising321% by weight Na O, 66.8% by weight P,O,,0.2% by weight Na SO and 0.1byweight NaCl.

The pre-treatment bath contained sodium hydroxide, the fixing bathcontained sodium thiosulfate, and the bleaching bath contained potassiumbichromate.

Thereafter, the color photographic film thus processed was furtherprocessed for 2 minutes in a processing bath containing the compoundshown in the following table and dried.

Processing Bath Compound in the Bath Amount G Pyrogal1ol-1,3-dimethyl2g/1iter ether H Pyrogallol 2 g/liter 1 Hydroquinone 2 g/liter .l GallicAcid 2 g/litcr K 2,3-Dihydroxybenzoic 2 g/liter Acid L Ascorbic Acid 2glliter Fading Percentage Processing Bath Yellow Magenta Cyan ADy G 9%8% 12% +0.06 H 20% 13% +0.12

1 19% 17% 12% +0.10 .1 20% 13% +0.12 K 20% 28 13% +0.1 1 L 20% 22% 15%+0.25 L 20% 22% 15% +0.05 None 20% 30% 13% +0.05

From the experimental results shown above, it is clear that theprocessing baths H, l, and L each containing the known compound had afading prevention effect of magenta images due to light but wereineffective for the fading prevention of yellow images and further inthis case the formation of color stains increased remarkably. Further,the processing baths .1 and K showed almost no fading prevention effectto color images and also in these cases a remarkable increase of brownstains was observed.

On the other hand, the processing bath G of the present invention showeda remarkable fading prevention effect of magenta images due to light andalso a remarkable fading prevention effect of yellow images due to lightand also in this case the increase of the formation of clor stains dueto the action of light was hardly increased.

Furthermore, when the samples were processed in each of the processingsolutions shown above for 7 days at 76.7C under a low humidity conditionor for 14 days at 40C under a relative humidity of percent, it wasconfirmed that the sample processed using the processing solution ofthis invention had a cyan image stable to heat and also yellow imagestable to humidity. On the other hand. when the processing bathscontaining conventional compounds were used, the stability of the colorimages of the color photographic film was not improved and furtherremarkable brown stains formed.

Also, when the same procedure as above was conducted using a colorphotographic paper in place of the color positive film, almost the sameresults were obtained.

EXAMPLE 3 A color photographic paper prepared in the same way asdescribed in Example 1 was subjected to the following processing stepsas 295C.

The color photographic paper was, after image-wise exposure, subjectedto the steps of development for 6 minutes, blixing for 2 minutes, andwater washing for 4 minutes in this order. The composition of thedeveloping solution used above was the same as that of the developingsolution used in Example 1, while the blixing solution had the followingcomposition:

Ethylenediamine Tetraacetic Acid lron Salt 45 g Ammonium Thiocyanate 10g Sodium Sulfite 10 g Ammonium Thiosulfate (60%) ml EthylenediamineTetraacetic Acid 4-Sodium Salt Water added to make 1 liter Thereafterthe sample thus processed was further processed for 2 minutes in each ofthe processing baths having the compositions shown in the followingtable, rinsed for 15 seconds, and then dried.

Compound Potassium alum, g Sodium citrate, g... Boric acid, g Sodiummetaborate, g P rogallol-l, 3-dlmethyl other, g ethoxy hydroqulnone, grea, g Hydro uinone, g Pyroga 101, g Gallic acid, g.

cases. 35 3 3.5 3.5 3.6

The samples processed in each of the processing baths were exposed to afluorescent lamp of 10,000 lux for 10 days.

The ratio of the color density of the portion having an initial co'lordensity of 1.0 reduced during the test and the density of the s tainincrease at the unexposed portions in this case are shown in thefollowing table.

Faded Percentage Processing Bath Yellow Magenta Cyan ADy M 30% 40% 10%+0.02 N 16% 13% 10% +0.02 3 1% 27% 10% +0. 1 l p 30% 40% 10% +0.12 0 l5% 9% 10% +0.03 R l 2% 10% 10 +0.01

From these experimental results, it is clear that the processing bath 0containing the conventional compound similar to the compound of thisinvention gave afading prevention effect of magenta images due to lightin comparison with the conventional processing bath M but it wasineffective for the facing prevention of yellow images and further inthe case of processing in the processing bath 0, a remarkable increaseof the formation of brown stains was observed. Furthermore, theconventional processing bath P gave no fading prevention effect to colorimages and in this case, a remarkable increase in the formation ofyellow stains was observed. On the other hand, the processing bath N ofthis invention showed a more remarkable fading prevention effect of themagenta images due" to light and a remarkable fading prevention effectof the yellow images due to light. In this case, an increase of colorstains was hardly observed. Moreover, the processing baths Q and R eachcontaining the compound of this invention together with the conventionalcompound were found to be more effective than the processing bath N.

On the other hand, when the samples processed in each of theabove-described processing baths were stored for 7 days at 76.7C. u ndera low humidity condition or for 14 days at 40C under a relative humidityof 90% RH, the sample processed in the processing bath of this inventionshowed an improved stability of the cyan images to heat and also animproved stability of the yellow images to humidity. On the other hand,when the processing bath containing the conventional compound wasemployed, the stability of the color images of the samples was notimproved and further remarkable color stains formed.

EXAMPLE 4 Processing Bath Compound in the Bath Amount S MonomethylolHydantion 0.2 g/liter T Pentachlorophenol Sodium salt 1.0 g/liter U2-Nitro-l,3-propanediol 0.l g/litcr V pyrogallol-l,3 1.0 g/liter EtherWhen each sample thus processed in the above processing bath was storedat 25C and a relative humidity of RH, the condition of microorganismgrowth in the sample was observed, the results of which are .shown inthe following table.

Days: Bath 7days 14 days 2 1 days 28 days 56 days S 0 O O 30 4-H- T 0 00 -H-+ U 0 0 4+? V 0 0 0 0 0 None 0 +ll-H -H-0 In the above table, (0)means that no microorganism g'rawmwas obserbed means that microorganismsgrew slightly (l-2 spots); (-H) means that microorganisms grewconsiderably (5-6 spots); and (lll-) means that microorganisms grewthroughout the entire surface of the sample.

As is clear from the results shown in above table, in the conventionalprocessing bath, microorganisms grew to a great extent when the samplewas stored for 21-28 days, while in the sample processed in theprocessing bath of the present invention, the growth of microorganismswas not observed even when the sample was stored for 56 days.

The microorganisms which grew in the experiment were red-purple moldsand as the growth of the microorganisms in the comparison cases, gelatinas the protective colloid was attacked to damage the images.

EXAMPLE 5 Each of the processing baths W-Z having the followingcomposition and the processing baths A-F shown in Example 1 wassubjected to a running test for 56 days at a rate of 5 hours/day whilesupplying a fresh solution at a rate of 66 ml/0.89 m

tb Bath: Compound Tartaroc Acid Zinc

Sulfate Sodium Metaborate Monomethylol Hydantoin PentachlorophenolSodium 2-Nitrol 3-propanediol Pyrogallol-l 3-dimethyl Ethc r Z 10.00l0.0g l0.0g

20.0g 20.0g 20.0,; 20.0g

Water added to make -1 liter in all the cases.

The state of the growth of microorganisms was observed for eachprocessing bath. The results obtained are shown in the following table.

ath 21 days 30 -H- 28 days 56 days 30 -H- 0 0 -H- H 4+ 0 0 0 0 +Hn -H- 00 and X after running the test for 2 weeks. Because the growth ofmicroorganisms was observed in the conventional processing bath Y afterrunning the test for three weeks, the processing bath demonstrated someeffect for preventing the growth of microorganisms but such an effectwas insufficient in the running test of a long period of time. On theother hand, no growth of microorganisms was observed in the processingbath of this invention even after running the test for 56 days.

The microorganisms which grew in the conventional processing bathsduring the experiments were black colloidal substances emitting a bitterputrid smell.

The same results were obtained for the processing baths G, N, Q, and Rof the present invention. Furthermore, when the compound in the presentinvention was incorporated in the developing solution, the fixingsolution, the bleaching solution or the blixing solution referred toabove, the growth of microorganisms in the processing solution wasconsiderably prevented.

While the invention has been described in detail and with reference tospecific embodiments thereof, it will be apparent that various changesand modifications can be made therein without departing from the spiritand scope thereof.

What is claimed is:

l. A method of stabilizing a silver halide color photographic materialin the development of said material forming color images comprisingprocessing said material in a color photographic processing compositioncontaining pyrogallol-l ,3-dimethyl ether.

2. The method .of stabilizing the color photographic material accordingto claim 1, wherein said pyrogallol- 1,3-dimethyl ether in saidprocessing composition ranges from about 0.1 to IOg/liter.

3. The method of stabilizing the color photographic material accordingto claim 1, wherein said color photographic processing composition is anaqueous stabilization solution.

4. The method of stabilizing the color photographic material of claim 1,wherein said processing is after said forming of said color images.

5. The method of stabilizing the color photographic material of claim 1,wherein said processing is prior to said forming of said color images.

6. The method of stabilizing the color photographic material accordingto claim 1, wherein said color photographic processing compositionadditionally contains diethylene glycol, polyethylene glycol or mixturesthereof.

7. A stabilized silver halide color photographic material processed in aprocessing composition according to the method of claim 1.

8. A silver halide color photographic processing and stabilizingcomposition containing pyrogallol-1,3- dimethyl ether and at least onemember selected from the group consisting of urea, a water-solublederivative of urea, guanidine, a water-solution derivative of guanidine,dihydroxybenzene, a derivative of dihydroxybenzene, trihydroxybenzne, aderivative of trihydroxybenzene, and a phenolic compound.

2. The method of stabilizing the color photographic material accordingto claim 1, wherein said pyrogallol-1,3-dimethyl ether in saidprocessing composition ranges from about 0.1 to 10g/liter.
 3. The methodof stabilizing the color photographic material according to claim 1,wherein said color photographic processing composition is an aqueousstabilization solution.
 4. The method of stabilizing the colorphotographic material of claim 1, wherein said processing is after saidforming of said color images.
 5. The method of stabilizing the colorphotographic material of claim 1, wherein said processing is prior tosaid forming of said color images.
 6. The method of stabilizing thecolor photographic material according to claim 1, wherein said colorphotographic processing composition additionally contains diethyleneglycol, polyethylene glycol or mixtures thereof.
 7. A stabilized silverhalide color photographic material processed in a processing compositionaccording to the method of claim
 1. 8. A silver halide colorphotographic processing and stabilizing composition containingpyrogallol-1,3-dimethyl ether and at least one member selected from thegroup consisting of urea, a water-soluble derivative of urea, guanidine,a water-solution derivative of guanidine, dihydroxybenzene, a derivativeof dihydroxybenzene, trihydroxybenzne, a derivative oftrihydroxybenzene, and a phenolic compound.